Chapter 4 No Way
1078 Words
"So, you're pregnant, huh?" Sophia sneered, pacing around Florence. "You really hit the jackpot, didn't you, Florence? You managed to land a job as a nanny for the Foster family, took ten million dollars, and still weren't satisfied. Now, just as the contract's about to end, you're suddenly pregnant? What's your plan? Thinking that carrying Lancelot's child will give you a way to stay with him?"
Sophia yanked on Florence's hair from behind, jerking her head back painfully. Florence couldn't help but gasp, gritting her teeth against the sharp tug on her head.
"You're just a filthy b***h," Sophia spat. "I was going to let you walk away, but then how dare you get pregnant with Lancelot's child!"
Florence could almost imagine the wild look in Sophia's eyes.
A moment later, the blindfold covering her eyes was ripped away, and the sudden light made her squint in pain.
As her vision cleared, she saw five men standing in front of her, grinning with sinister intent.
Florence's heart dropped as the realization hit her. 'Sophia hired these men to r**e me?!'
Florence's belly churned with fear as she started struggling against her bindings, but the chair barely budged.
Sophia just laughed, her voice dripping with malice. "Don't bother, Florence. I'm not going to let you keep that thing in your belly."
Sophia's smile widened as if she was savoring the scene. "Now, gentlemen, take your time with her. A little pain and this will all be over soon. Isn't that right, Florence?"
Florence shook her head in desperation, but Sophia ignored her. "Go on, boys, and don't hold back. You'll only get half the pay if you don't put in all your effort."
They approached Florence, muttering, "Oh, we'll enjoy this. Don't worry."
Sophia grimaced. "This is disgusting. When you're done, just leave her here. If a wild dog managed to put her out of her misery, then so be it. Lucky for her, I guess."
As the men closed in, Florence's wrists were unbound, and they tore at her clothing until only a few scraps remained.
Her bag, which she'd managed to keep with her, held a can of pepper spray.
Desperately trying to stall, Florence put on a trembling, compliant smile as she glanced at the ringleader.
"Wouldn't it be better over there on that table?" she murmured, leaning toward him as if to flirt. "This chair is just... too cold."
Feigning compliance, she tugged him closer by his collar, pressing herself against him as she led him toward the table.
The man grinned, clearly pleased. "Not bad. I will be gentle." He wrapped an arm around her waist and laid her on the table, kissing her neck as he moved in.
Florence slowly reached behind her into her bag, where her pepper spray was hidden. She glanced at the others and flashed a smile. "Be patient, boys. One at a time."
She took her chance as they began closing in, whipping out the pepper spray and dousing them with a sharp blast of burning liquid. They stumbled back, clutching their burning eyes and screaming in pain.
In the confusion, Florence grabbed a set of car keys that had fallen from one of their pockets and sprinted out of the room. She ducked into the parking lot, frantically searching for the right car, and dove in when she found it.
Shaking with adrenaline, Florence intended to start the car and sped away. She grabbed her phone, trying to call Lancelot, but he didn't pick up.
"Get her! That b***h!" She heard one of them yell.
Florence's face was streaked with tears as she watched the group close in behind her. Panicking, she started the car.
Her phone sat on the passenger seat, and she tried calling again, but once more, Lancelot didn't pick up.
At that moment, Florence felt the last bit of her patience for him fade away.
'So he never actually answered my calls right away.'
She pressed harder on the gas, speeding down the road as the car behind honked in relentless pursuit.
Soon, she found herself on a winding mountain road. The fuel gauge was blinking empty, and she could feel her car slowing down while the one behind was drawing closer and closer.
A chill ran down her spine. She knew she couldn't let herself be captured and r***d.
In a flash of desperation, Florence gritted her teeth, spun the wheel, and veered the car toward the cliff's edge.
The sea loomed below.
As she raced toward the edge, just inches from the brink, only one thought crossed her mind.
'Lancelot, I'm done. You've let me down for the last time.'
*****
One year later, at Hawthorne Group, Daisy Rogers, Florence's assistant, knocked and entered with a stack of documents. "A manager from Evergreen Group is here to discuss business. Shall I let him in?"
It was just a real estate company that had been acquired.
Florence raised an eyebrow. The company name was unfamiliar. "Who acquired them last month?"
"Foster Group," Daisy replied. "Lancelot."
The mention of his name made Florence freeze, her hand holding her coffee mid-air, a flicker of old emotions flashing in her eyes.
"Tell them I'm busy. Reschedule." Florence grabbed her bag, eager to leave early, aware that Evergreen Group's team might try to catch her on the way out, and she was eager to get back to her little girl, Betty Hawthorne.
'After I fell into the sea, the family guard my grandfather had secretly arranged pulled me out. When they rescued me, I was battered, and I nearly lost the baby... No. I will not get pulled back into that heartache, especially not for Lancelot.'
Taking her cue, Daisy stepped out, and Florence followed, glancing down at her phone, watching her daughter reach out for the nanny on the security footage. A soft, happy smile showed on her lips.
Suddenly, Daisy suddenly interrupted her thoughts, calling her name softly.
Assuming Daisy had a question about the Evergreen Group manager, Florence said, "I already said I don't have time. Tell them to leave..."
"Tell who to leave?" A familiar voice sounded unexpectedly.
Her words caught in her throat before she could say anything more.
She looked up, her breath catching as she saw the man standing nearby, sharp-eyed and tall as ever.
'It is him!! Lancelot!'
Florence's breath hitched.
She had never imagined, after a whole year, that they would meet again like this so suddenly.
- Writer
